Drill Wood Swiftly And Safely

What You'll Need

Drill bits

Power drill

Wood

Masking tape

Pencil

What You'll Need

Drill bits

Power drill

Wood

Masking tape

Pencil

If you engage in any carpentry work at all, you will need to be able to drill wood with ease, a task which requires the proper tools. Drilling holes into wood is a very common and standard practice for almost any carpentry project.

Step 1 – Choose the Wood

You might use many different types of wood in construction and home improvement projects. Hardwoods last long and include cherry, maple and oak. Softwoods include pine and fir.

Step 2 – Choose the Bit

Wood bits differ from standard bits because a wood bit has a sharp point at the end. This end cuts through wood without splintering or breaking it. A standard bit, on the other hand, has a blunted, flat end.

Drill bits range in size from 5/16 to 1 1/2 inches in width. If you are going to dill often for many different kinds of projects, you will need a wide selection of drill bits. At home improvement centers and hardware stores, you can purchase drill bit kits that include almost every size that is commonly used in carpentry.

Step 3 – Mark the Hole Location

Carefully make your measurements for the project you are constructing. Note where you will need to drill holes on the wood. Cut the wood to size and then use a pencil to mark precisely where you need to drill a hole.

On the reverse side of the wood, take a small piece of masking tape and place it where the hole will be located. When the drill bit emerges as you finish the hole, the masking tape will prevent the wood from splintering or shattering in the process. Make sure that you place the tape at the exact same measurement as the mark on the front side of the wood.

If you will be drilling to a specific depth, wrap a small piece of black electrical tape around the drill bit at that precise depth. This will help you know when you have reached the right level and when to stop drilling.

Step 4 – Drill the Hole

Carefully press the tip of the bit into the wood. Make sure it goes in straight and not at a slight angle. If you cut in at an angle, you could splinter the hole and ruin the wood.

Use steady, medium pressure as you drill. Going too fast will result in burning the wood and may also result in slipping the drill bit too far into the wood. As you progress, reverse and occasionally pull out the accumulated dust and debris that comes from drilling. This practice will help keep the drill hole clean and prevent the bit from locking or freezing.

Step 5 – Finish the Hole

Keep an eye on the depth you are drilling. When you get close to the piece of electrical tape, slow the drill down until you begin to see the tip of the bit poke a small hole in the wood. Carefully reverse the drill and pull the bit out of the hole.

Turn the wood over and carefully drill through the remaining wood to complete the hole. Remove the masking tape and brush away any remaining sawdust or debris from the hole.